Edinburgh business students get set to tackle global challenges

From 24 to 26 October 2017, more than 100 students will work with real social challenges, ranging from fuel poverty and loneliness in old age, to financial literacy and gender equality.

The winning team of the inaugural #makeyourmark, held in February, developed Femmebox, a product to support homeless women with vital feminine hygiene products. Using a monthly subscription model, Femmebox matched every box of hygiene products purchased with an equivalent parcel, delivered to shelters for women in need.

Run in partnership with Social Investment Scotland, one of the UK’s leading responsible finance providers, the two day event will see teams participating in workshops and receiving mentoring from some of Scotland’s leading business minds, as they develop solutions to these challenges.

Each team will present their business model to a panel of judges on the final day, for a chance to secure networking time with leading global businesses and social enterprises.

#makeyourmark opens with a social impact debate featuring Brewgooder, Homes For Good, Social Investment Scotland, and Standard Life Investments.

Wendy Loretto, Dean of the University of Edinburgh Business School, said: “The Business School asks students to look at the world with critical eyes, and this is event is another example of our commitment. Our first year undergraduates, for instance, begin their time in Edinburgh on a Global Challenges course which considers the positives but also the difficulties caused by globalisation. Meanwhile our MBA take treks to India and Colombia where students learn from large companies and social enterprises. With #makeyourmark students will get the chance to discuss their ideas with business leaders, to work with students from different parts of the university, and to create something that has the potential to benefit our collective future.”

Mariah Tissera, a winning member of the Femmebox team, said: “The amount of knowledge and skills I gained from well-established social entrepreneurs about big issues that are very close to my heart has been incredible.”